US 5,964,507 AGranted

Transmission gearcase for multiple cutting heads

AssigneeMining Technologies, Inc.

InventorsJon C. Blackstock, John A. Baird, Jr., Ian T. Carr

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for mining a mineral seam. The apparatus includes a frame, a propulsion system as well as first and second cutters and a cutter motor for winning aggregate material from the mineral seam. The apparatus is characterized by the cutter including a transmission gearcase having a bevel gear set, first and second sun gears, first and second planetary gear sets, first and second fixed planetary gear set carriers and first and second rotating ring gears. The output from the drive motor is connected to the bevel gear set which in turn drives the first and second sun gears which in turn drive the respective first and second planetary gear sets that in turn drive the first and second ring gears. The ring gears drive the first and second cutters, respectively.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An apparatus for mining a mineral seam, comprising:

a frame;
first and second cutters carried on said frame for winning aggregate material from the mineral seam;
a cutter motor for driving said first and second cutters;
and
a gearcase for transmitting power from said cutter motor to said first and second cutters, said gearcase including a bevel gear set, first and second sun gears, a drive shaft for connecting said bevel gear set to said first and second sun gears, first and second planetary gear sets, first and second fixed planetary gear set carriers for carrying, respectively, said first and second planetary gear sets and first and second ring gears, said cutter motor being connected to said bevel gear set that drives said first and second sun gears that drive, respectively, said first and second planetary gear sets that drive, respectively, said first and second ring gears;
said first ring gear rotating around said first planetary gear set so as to drive said first cutter and said second ring gear rotating around said second planetary gear set so as to drive said second cutter.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/954,602Filed 20 Oct 1997
Granted: 12 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E21D 9/1086
Making by using boring or cutting machines: drives or transmissions specially adapted therefor
E21C 25/10
Machines slitting solely by one or more cutting rods or cutting drums which rotate, move through the seam, and may or may not reciprocate: rods; Drums
E21C 27/24
Mineral freed by means not involving slitting: by milling means acting on the full working face , i.e. the rotary axis of the tool carrier being…
E21C 31/02
Driving means incorporated in machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam: for cutting or breaking-down devices